Angelina Jolie opens up about struggles with Bell's palsy

Angelina Jolie is opening up about her latest health struggles for the first time after a tumultuous year. For September's issue of Vanity Fair, the Hollywood star reveals she was diagnosed with Bell's palsy in 2016. The condition is a temporary facial paralysis, which affects about 40,000 Americans each year. Dr. David Agus joins "CBS This Morning" from Los Angeles to talk about symptoms and treatment of the disease.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/angelina-jolie-opens-up-about-struggles-with-bells-palsy/

Judge pulls order offering lower sentences in exchange for birth control procedures

Judge Sam Benningfield in White County, Tennessee, initiated program to combat rise in infants who are born addicted to opioids

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/judge-rescinds-controversial-order-offering-reduced-sentences-birth-control-procedures/

Senate turns to "skinny repeal" in Obamacare replacement battle

After attempts to pass a more substantial health care bill failed, GOP leaders are honing in on the so-called "skinny repeal," which would eliminate just a few key parts of Obamacare and leave much of the legislation in place. Nancy Cordes has more.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/senate-turns-to-skinny-repeal-in-obamacare-replacement-battle/

Eliminate hepatitis: WHO

New WHO data from 28 countries - representing approximately 70% of the global hepatitis burden - indicate that efforts to eliminate hepatitis are gaining momentum. Published to coincide with World Hepatitis Day, the data reveal that nearly all 28 countries have established high-level national hepatitis elimination committees (with plans and targets in place) and more than half have allocated dedicated funding for hepatitis responses.

On World Hepatitis Day, WHO is calling on countries to continue to translate their commitments into increased services to eliminate hepatitis. This week, WHO has also added a new generic treatment to its list of WHO-prequalified hepatitis C medicines to increase access to therapy, and is promoting prevention through injection safety: a key factor in reducing hepatitis B and C transmission.

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2017/eliminate-hepatitis/en/index.html

Energy and Commerce passes Action for Dental Health bill

The House Energy and Commerce Committee July 27 unanimously passed the Action for Dental Health Act of 2017.

From: By Jennifer Garvin http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/july/energy-and-commerce-passes-action-for-dental-health-bill

Do e-cigarettes help tobacco smokers quit?

The popularity of vaping may be tied to more people quitting traditional smoking, a new study finds

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/do-e-cigarettes-help-tobacco-smokers-quit/

Man feels "great" after surviving 98 brain tumors

"I feel great, you know. Normal as — normal, whatever normal is"

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/father-of-2-feels-great-after-surviving-98-cancerous-brain-tumors/

Hearing Loss Rates Steady for U.S. Teens: Study

Vaccine that prevents ear infections may have counterbalanced surge in headphone use, expert says

From: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ear-infection/news/20170727/hearing-loss-rates-steady-for-us-teens-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Binge Drinking Rates Dropping on College Campuses

But study also shows those rates are rising for young adults who are not in school

From: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20170727/binge-drinking-rates-dropping-on-college-campuses?src=RSS_PUBLIC

#AsktheMayoMom about Sports Injuries and Concussions in Young Athletes

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClqsfqfO51c

Suspected Case of Zika Discovered in Texas

Suspected Case of Mosquito-Transmitted Zika in Texas

From: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20170727/suspected-case-of-zika-discovered-in-texas?src=RSS_PUBLIC

ADA giving away new brochure about acetaminophen safety

To help promote awareness of acetaminophen overdose risk, the ADA is giving away 25-copy packs of the new patient education brochure "Get Dental Pain Relief Safely: Tell Your Dentist About the Medications You are Taking."

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/july/ada-giving-away-new-brochure-about-acetaminophen-safety

'Time for our generation to lead'

In the past, getting new dentists involved in organized dentistry felt almost like pulling teeth, said Dr. David Manzanares, secretary treasurer of the New Mexico Dental Association.

From: By Kimber Solana http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/july/time-for-our-generation-to-lead

Judge approves end-of-life plan for critically ill infant

Order comes after Charlie Gard's parents, hospital disagreed on what should happen to infant

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/charlie-gard-moved-hospice-taken-off-life-support-judge-rules/

In U.S. first, scientists edit genes of human embryos

The controversial step, using a technique called CRISPR, is aimed toward someday helping babies avoid inherited diseases

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/crispr-scientists-edit-genes-of-human-embryos/

Premyeloid and Bone Marrow Failure Genomics Clinic

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMHGfnF463o

Report: Interior secretary called Alaska's senators to threaten them over health care vote

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, opposed a motion to proceed Tuesday to open debate on health care

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/report-interior-secretary-called-alaskas-senators-to-threaten-them-over-health-care-vote/

Ketogenic diet: Is the ultimate low-carb diet good for you?

Recently, many of my patients have been asking about a ketogenic diet. Is it safe? Would you recommend it? Despite the recent hype, a ketogenic diet is not something new. In medicine, we have been using it for almost 100 years to treat drug-resistant epilepsy, especially in children. In the 1970s, Dr. Atkins popularized his very-low-carbohydrate diet for weight loss that began with a very strict two-week ketogenic phase. Over the years, other fad diets incorporated a similar approach for weight loss.

What is a ketogenic diet?

In essence, it is a diet that causes the body to release ketones into the bloodstream. Most cells prefer to use blood sugar, which comes from carbohydrates, as the body’s main source of energy. In the absence of circulating blood sugar from food, we start breaking down stored fat into molecules called ketone bodies (the process is called ketosis). Once you reach ketosis, most cells will use ketone bodies to generate energy until we start eating carbohydrates again. The shift, from using circulating glucose to breaking down stored fat as a source of energy, usually happens over two to four days of eating fewer than 20 to 50 grams of carbohydrates per day. Keep in mind that this is a highly individualized process, and some people need a more restricted diet to start producing enough ketones.

Because it lacks carbohydrates, a ketogenic diet is rich in proteins and fats. It typically includes plenty of meats, eggs, processed meats, sausages, cheeses, fish, nuts, butter, oils, seeds, and fibrous vegetables. Because it is so restrictive, it is really hard to follow over the long run. Carbohydrates normally account for at least 50% of the typical American diet. One of the main criticisms of this diet is that many people tend to eat too much protein and poor-quality fats from processed foods, with very few fruits and vegetables. Patients with kidney disease need to be cautious because this diet could worsen their condition. Additionally, some patients may feel a little tired in the beginning, while some may have bad breath, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and sleep problems.

Are there benefits of a ketogenic diet?

We have solid evidence showing that a ketogenic diet reduces seizures in children, sometimes as effectively as medication. Because of these neuroprotective effects, questions have been raised about the possible benefits for other brain disorders such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, sleep disorders, autism, and even brain cancer. However, there are no human studies to support recommending ketosis to treat these conditions.

Weight loss is the primary reason my patients use the ketogenic diet. Previous research shows good evidence of a faster weight loss when patients go on a ketogenic or very low carbohydrate diet compared to participants on a more traditional low-fat diet, or even a Mediterranean diet. However, that difference in weight loss seems to disappear over time.

A ketogenic diet also has been shown to improve blood sugar control for patients with type 2 diabetes, at least in the short term. There is even more controversy when we consider the effect on cholesterol levels. A few studies show some patients have increase in cholesterol levels in the beginning, only to see cholesterol fall a few months later. However, there is no long-term research analyzing its effects over time on diabetes and high cholesterol.

What’s the bottom line?

A ketogenic diet could be an interesting alternative to treat certain conditions, and may accelerate weight loss. But it is hard to follow and it can be heavy on red meat and other fatty, processed, and salty foods that are notoriously unhealthy. We also do not know much about its long-term effects, probably because it’s so hard to stick with that people can’t eat this way for a long time. It is also important to remember that “yo-yo diets” that lead to rapid weight loss fluctuation are associated with increased mortality. Instead of engaging in the next popular diet that would last only a few weeks to months (for most people that includes a ketogenic diet), try to embrace change that is sustainable over the long term. A balanced, unprocessed diet, rich in very colorful fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fish, whole grains, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and lots of water seems to have the best evidence for a long, healthier, vibrant life.

The post Ketogenic diet: Is the ultimate low-carb diet good for you? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Marcelo Campos, MD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ketogenic-diet-is-the-ultimate-low-carb-diet-good-for-you-2017072712089

Melanoma Isn't the Only Serious Skin Cancer

Squamous cell carcinoma is far more common and also dangerous if untreated, dermatologist says

From: http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20170727/melanoma-isnt-the-only-serious-skin-cancer?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Eczema Can Take a Toll on Adults

The chronic skin condition may interfere with daily life, expert says

From: http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20170727/eczema-can-take-a-toll-on-adults?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Making Mayo's Recipes: Basil pesto stuffed mushrooms

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-65yox3dzc

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august

Angelina Jolie opens up about struggles with Bell's palsy

Angelina Jolie is opening up about her latest health struggles for the first time after a tumultuous year. For September's issue of Vanity Fair, the Hollywood star reveals she was diagnosed with Bell's palsy in 2016. The condition is a temporary facial paralysis, which affects about 40,000 Americans each year. Dr. David Agus joins "CBS This Morning" from Los Angeles to talk about symptoms and treatment of the disease.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/angelina-jolie-opens-up-about-struggles-with-bells-palsy/

State Dept. issues warning about tainted alcohol in Mexico

The State Department is warning travelers to consume alcohol in moderation and get medical help if they feel sick while staying at resorts in Mexico after multiple reports of blackouts from possibly tainted alcohol have occurred in recent months. More than 1.4 million gallons of tainted alcohol has been seized from Mexico since 2010, with some of it said to contain pure industrial ethanol. David Begnaud reports.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/state-dept-issues-warning-about-tainted-alcohol-in-mexico/

More E-Cigarettes, Fewer Tobacco Smokers?

Popularity of 'vaping' tied to increase in smoking cessation, study finds

From: http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20170726/more-e-cigarettes-fewer-tobacco-smokers?src=RSS_PUBLIC

WHO: Global Influenza Surveillance, 65 Years of Collaboration

From: World Health Organization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VatrQSXWt48

WHO: How to give a safe injection?

From: World Health Organization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzv4wkQkqQo

What is a "skinny repeal" and can it pass the Senate?

As amendments to the Senate health care bill continue to fail, there appears to be one version that could squeak through

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-is-a-skinny-repeal-and-can-it-pass-the-senate/